October 28th 2024: Newsletter #33
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 4 Prayer
- From the Principals
- Finance Updates
- Poppy Appeal
- Walk to school
- Sports News
- Breakfast Club
- Wellbeing- Resilience
- Happy Birthday
- Student Awards
- Student News
- Around our School- Week 3
- Parents & Friend's Social Group
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Notices
- Upcoming Events
Acknowledgement of Country
St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together, working together towards a reconciled Australia.
Week 4 Prayer
From the Principals
Welcome everyone to Week 4. The grade 3/4 students are buzzing with excitement around their upcoming camp to Sovereign Hill tomorrow. We wish them luck on their gold search. We ask that only Grade 3/4 families use the Coghlans Road Loop tomorrow morning as the camp buses will be leaving from this carpark. All other families are to use the Russell Street loop. Buses will return to this carpark again on Wednesday afternoon, to ease congestion we also ask that Grade 3/4 families use this carpark for collection and all other families use alternate pick up points. Thank you in advance.
A huge congratulations to those students who have represented our school so well in the past couple of weeks at sporting events such as basketball and cricket. We have been delighted to see their teamwork, sportspersonship, and respect umpires/referess as well as their kindness towards other school students.
The Foundation students thoroughly enjoyed their extended stay at school last Thursday - thanks to the staff for coordinating such a fun opportunity.
DDO is fast approaching and we all cannot wait for Sunday November 10th. A huge thanks to the parent committee that have been working hard all year. Please take a moment to check out the sponsorship wall that has been erected along Russell St and we would greatly appreciate if you are able to support these businesses who help make the day what it is. If you'd like more information, follow along Dennington's Day Out on social media.
Our school community was deeply saddened by the passing of Colin McKenna. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McKenna's and their extended family. We wish them peace and strength during this difficult time.
We look forward to the week ahead, Jan & Amy.
Finance Updates
School Saving Bonus- Not all students are eligible to receive the School Saving Bonus in Catholic Schools.
Non-government school students who will be in Foundation through to Year 12 in 2025, and who are receiving the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF), are eligible for the School Saving Bonus.
Parents and carers do not need to apply, with the School Saving Bonus being paid to non-government schools for eligible students from late November 2024.
The $400 School Saving Bonus is available for each child in the family attending the school. That means an eligible family with three school-aged children will receive a total of $1,200. Importantly, the School Saving Bonus is available in addition to the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
Additional SSB payments will be made to schools in 2025, for eligible students new to the school in 2025, after schools submit the required information to the Department of Education.
Parents of eligible students are encouraged to discuss their needs with their school prior to the SSB being distributed. SSB payments are to be managed in consultation with the eligible student’s family.
Unused money from the SSB can be transferred to a sibling at the same school if one child finishes school.
The SSB cannot be combined across different schools, and cannot be transferred between government and non-government schools.
School Fee statements- will be emailed to families next week. It is a requirement by DOBCEL that all school fees are paid by the end of the year. If you haven't set up a payment plan yet or informed the office of how you intend to pay, please do so asap.
Parent Participation Levy- It is each families responsibility to log their PPL hours. There is a tile on the schoolzine app where you are able to record the activity and the number of hours or alternatively there is a paper sign in sheet at the office. Hours will be collated at the end of this week and if you have reached the required number of hours (4 hours will trigger a $100 rebate and 8 hours a further $100 ) the credits will show on your fee statement next week. PPL guidelines are attached for your reference.
Poppy Appeal
The 2024 Poppy Appeal is here. For more than 100 years, the Poppy Appeal has raised funds to provide important services for veterans and their families in their time of need.
We have a variety of items for sale at the office ranging from $2 to $5 for any students wishing to make a purchase.
We remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought, and died, for our freedom. We thank you, and we salute you as we salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
We will never forget. We will remember you.
Walk to school
November is Walk to school month at St. John's!
We will have staff members waiting at the Dennington Post Office in Drummond Street each Friday at 8.10am for a 8.20am departure, in November, to walk to school. We would love to see a big group this Friday 1st November to help kick things off!
Sports News
Today our 5/6 boys basketball team had their turn at the division hooptime in Hamilton coached by Megan Kelly and Jaxon Keay. They have been training hard and have certainly put in some great preparation. Great job Sully, Archie, Ray, Jaxon, Jensen, Billy, Franklin, Daniel and Jacob!
Charlotte S is preparing for SSV State champs on November 6th where she will compete in the 800m and 1500m. We wish Charlotte all the best!
Breakfast Club
It was great to have Andrew from Fonterra visit Breakfast Club last week. Fonterra generously supply us with dairy products each week. Breakfast club is very popular and attracts large numbers of students each week therefore we are very appreciate of the support they give us. Thank you!
Wellbeing- Resilience
While adulthood is filled with serious responsibilities, childhood isn't exactly stress-free. Kids go on camp, take tests, learn new information, change schools, change neighbourhoods, get sick, get braces, encounter bullies, make new friends and occasionally get hurt by those friends.
What helps kids in navigating these kinds of challenges is resilience. Resilient kids are problem solvers. They face unfamiliar or tough situations and strive to find good solutions.
Happy Birthday
Best wishes to Olivia M, Piper S, Stella P, Savannah D and Audrey S who celebrate their birthday this week! We hope you have a terrific day.
Student Awards
Student News
Seth and Caleb competed at the final round of the Western Region Series in Ararat over the weekend. They competed at seven motorcorss events around the region throughout the year with points tallied after each event. Overall for the series they both took out second place in their classes, Seth in 65cc C grade and Caleb in 85cc C grade.
Meanwhile Amber and Noah both finished 3rd for the 2024 BMX season in their age groups. The season runs from February and yesterday was their final round.
Congratulations to you all, amazing achievements!
Around our School- Week 3
Parents & Friend's Social Group
Our next meeting will be Tuesday 12th November at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Dennington's Day Out
The next meeting will be this Wednesday 30th October at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. We would love to see some new faces.
Dennington’s Day Out is fast approaching and there will be opportunity for participation points for those wanting to help out.
We will require helpers on Saturday 9th Nov to set up and also from 7.00am on Sunday 10th November to set up and from 3.00pm to pack up.
All families should have received their Family packs now with information regarding rides wristband purchasing and raffle tickets. Raffle tickets are due back by Wednesday 6th November. Additional raffle tickets are available from the office.
WANTED - Haunted House Decorations
We are having a haunted house at DDO this year! If you have any spooky ideas or you happen to have any items that we could please use for our Haunted House at DDO it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Julie Bartlett at the office or our DDO committee.
Cake Raffle
Each week on a Monday, families are rostered on to bring in a cake which will then be raffled and drawn out at assembly. All funds raised throughout the year will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal the following year.
All students will have the opportunity to buy a raffle ticket for 20c next Wednesday with a limit of five tickets per student. The Johnnies will make a P.A announcement at first lunch, calling all students who wish to purchase a ticket, to the Library.
The following families are rostered on for Monday 4th November.
Stapleton, Stephen, Stewart and Stidolph.
Please drop your store purchased cake into the office with your child's name written on top.
School Sponsorship
A big thank you to O'Brien's Electrical, Joinery by Jarrod, Fry Painting and Carry on Travel who sponsor our school!
Would you like to advertise your business in our school newsletter? Businesses can advertise for only $100 a year and will have a business card sized listing in every school newsletter.
Please contact parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au for more information.
Star of the Sea Bulletin
Sunday Mass is held at 9.00am at St. Pius X Church. School families are always welcome.
The Parish office can be contacted on 5562 2231 and this weekends bulletin is featured below. Other information and contact details can be found on the Star of the Sea South West Coast website: https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/parish/southwestcoast/
Community Notices
Doxa Youth Foundation Summer Camp for children aged 10 -12.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 29th/Wednesday 30th October: Grade 3/4 Camp
Wednesday 30th October: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Monday 4th November - Thursday 14th November: Swimming Program F-4
Sunday 10th November: Dennington's Day Out
Tuesday 12th November: P & F Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Wednesday 4th - Friday 6th December: Grade 5/6 Camp
Friday 6th December: Carols by the Merri
Tuesday 10th December: Orientation Day
Tuesday 10th December: Family BBQ at school from 5.00pm
Thursday 12th December: Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting at 6.30pm at The Cally